Dear readers,
   Tis the season for celebration. Everyone I know is swirling around in one form or other trying to get ready for Christmas. But in this Ewesletter, I would like to focus attention on our animal friends. I happen to live in a neighbourhood that is teaming with wildlife. We have dear roaming through the gardens, we have eagles flying overhead, bunnies jumping in and out of bushes. . . and then there are the cats and dogs who lend particular jocularity to the day to day activities on the street. My cat Charlie is a well-known character in this drama and he brings me such comfort and joy. It has occurred to me that animals remind us that we are not alone, that we are safe and protected and loved. And that's why we sing about them in so many carols — "the Ox and Lamb kept time, pa rum pa pum pum" — they were present in the manger when Jesus was born, bringing a certain tranquil strength to an otherwise clamourous occasion. So I've included the words and music to a not-so-familiar Christmas Carol to honour the animals of the world and to thank them for their companionship.
    Merry Christmas from all of us at Homespunspa, Maria Koropecky, Chief, Cook & Bottle Washer.

2. "I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried His mother uphill and down;
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town."
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

3."I," said the cow, all white and red,
"I gave Him my manger for a bed;
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head."
"I," said the cow, all white and red.

4."I," said the sheep with curly horn,
"I gave Him wool for His blanket warm;
He wore my coat on Christmas morn."
"I," said the sheep with curly horn.

5."I," said the camel, yellow and black,
"Over the desert upon my back;
I brought Him gifts in the wise men's pack."
"I," said the camel, yellow and black.

6."I," said the dove from the rafters high,
"I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry;
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the dove from the rafters high.

7.Thus every beast by some good spell,
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift they gave Emmanuel
The gift they gave Emmanuel.

Words: Robert Davies
Music: Traditional French
From: And the Angels Sing, A Song Book of Classic Christmas Carols, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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